If the name of Volkswagen’s new crossover called the Taigo sounds familiar to you it’s because it made a subtle debut early this year as the Wolfsburg-based marque’s latest T SUV.
The new Volkswagen Taigo is based on the Nivus model that is sold in Brazil and will join the T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan AllSpace and Touareg models. By just looking at the dimensions, we expect it to slot just above the T-Cross, a gap we never knew existed. It measures 4.26 m in length, 1.75 m in width and 1.49 m in height making it slightly bigger than the T-Cross but a smidgeon smaller than the T-Roc.
The new Taigo in R-Line guise spawns features such as matrix LED headlights, 18″ alloy wheels as well as driver assistance systems including level two automated driving.
Inside, it features somehow similar design cues as those of the refreshed Tiguan. By that, we mean it comes fitted with a digital instrument cluster, 9.2″ infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless charging pad, stylish climate control switches and a fresh steering wheel that embodies the new VW logo.
The new front-wheel-drive Volkswagen Taigo will be powered by a choice of two engine options; a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TSI engine in two states of tune with either 70 kW and 81 kW. The 1.5-litre TSI unit will spew 110 kW. Both engine options will come fitted with a 5 or 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DCT depending on the engine choice.
Initial reports by Volkswagen South Africa earlier this year stated that the Taigo will launch locally in 2022. So, we wait.
